While the spotlight will be on Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising at Tuesday’s Randwick trials, the session will also serve as an important stepping stone for Group 1 winner Linebacker as he looks to reignite his spring campaign.

Initially aimed at the Epsom Handicap (1600m), the four-year-old was withdrawn from contention after a minor setback forced him to miss the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last month.

Co-trainer Tom Charlton said the issue was only minor but cost the team valuable time and made it impossible to have the gelding fully fit for the Epsom.

“In simple terms, he sprained an ankle. It just meant being on the easy list for a week or so,” Charlton said.

“Once he missed that run, we were never going to the Epsom half-prepared. But if he can have a good couple of weeks now, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel in the Golden Eagle, which was always his aim throughout the campaign anyway.”

Winner of the Randwick Guineas (1600m) earlier this year, Linebacker resumed with a midfield finish in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) and will trial over 1050m at Randwick on Tuesday.

The Silver Eagle (1300m) on October 18 is his likely next assignment before the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) two weeks later.

Charlton remains optimistic that the small interruption could work in their favour.

“It might work out for the best,” he said. “The one thing you don’t like having is hiccups throughout the preparation, but if we can have a good trial and go to the Silver Eagle, we’ll be back on track. The 1300m of the Silver Eagle should be perfect for him.”

Tuesday’s trial session will also feature a high-profile 1000m heat for horses heading to The Everest and King Charles III Stakes, drawing a star-studded line-up of six.